Projects and Campaigns
1.Oil Vulnerability
2.CBD Bicycle Super Station
3.Bicycle Valet Parking
4.Public Transport Levy
Melbourne CBD Bicycle Super Station
In April 2005 the Victorian State Government introduced proposals for a parking levy on city car parking spaces. The aim is to reduce commuter car traffic to and from the CBD. It is expected to raise around $20 million in its introductory year of 2006, doubling to $40 million in subsequent years. These funds will go towards making it easier to travel to the city by modes other than the car, such as the bicycle and public transport. It is with this new levy in mind that the Institute for Sensible Transport put forward their vision of a Bicycle Super Station.
A bicycle parking station in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
What would such an initiative involve?
1. Safe, convenient, enclosed bicycle parking. Bicycles will be taken by an attendant who will store the bicycle. The owner will be given a ticket, to be produced for bicycle collection at a later time. This will be the prime function of the super station and will be free of charge. The ticket can be used as a public transport ticket within the CBD for the day the bike was deposited. This is intended to bridge the gap between the super station and cyclists final destination.
2. Showers, lockers and change rooms. The lack of such facilities is cited as a major deterrent for 'would be' bicycle commuters. Providing these facilities will encourage those without workplace lockers and showers to ride. Costs should not act as a deterrent, ie/ they should be minimal with concession rates.
3. Café. It makes sense to combine a bicycle super station with a café. Bicyclists are hungry and thirsty after a ride and like to 'refuel' before a ride. It will also act to encourage social interaction, making it the premier meeting place for Melbourne's ever growing bicycling community. Rent from the café will increase the financial sustainability of the bicycle super station.
4. Bicycle store/workshop. Bicyclists need bike stores. Bicycle stores need bicyclists. An onsite shop/workshop will provide unmatched convenience for the bicyclist and a ready stream of potential customers for the operator of the bicycle store/workshop. Rent from the operator will assist the financial sustainability of the bicycle super station. Bike hire will also be a feature.
5. Car Sharing 'Pod'. It is standard practice for bike super stations in the US to have a Car Sharing organisation located within the bike super station. This provides an integrated transport hub, whereby users can seamlessly transfer from one mode to another.
Bike Super Station from Munster, Germany
Entry to underground Bike Super Station from Groningen, The Netherlands.